Hunting Holster Suggestions

[c0wb0y84]

I'm looking to see if there's a better way of doing things. I normally carry a blackhawk in a cross draw for easier drawing while seated which works fine during warmer hunts where I'm not wearing a jacket. When things cool down though my jacket covers it in a way that is difficult to get to without a lot of noise and movement and it makes my jacket poke out awkwardly and it gets caught on everything while stalking.

I've never worn a bandolier style or kodiak style holster but was wondering if something along these lines worn on top of the jacket would work better. Or if there's another one that you like.

[Castaway]

One way is to get a larger belt that goes around your jacket. Barring that option, I think you’re looking at a shoulder holster

[pietro]

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I've handgun hunted for over 40 years, and have found that a cross-chest bandolier or shoulder holster works best for me.

I've also found that, due to the close-range shots on game, that a leather belt/holster can "creak" at inopportune times, causing the game to bolt.

After that leather holster went down the road, I lucked into a solution for me - A model 4101 Bianchi Ranger H.U.S.H. ( HUnting Shoulder Holster ) Cordua Nylon rig


https://op1.0ps.us/365-365-ffffff/opplanet-bianchi-ranger-hush-rh-shoulder-holster-system-flap-14258-14279-main.jpg


The Cordua is silent, is easily slid around to the back of the off shoulder (out of the way after deploying the handgun ) - and can be had for many different handguns, scoped or not.


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[MrWolf]

A chest rig sounds like it would work for you. I carry my XDm 10mm in a Kenai chest rig.

[c0wb0y84]

.

I've handgun hunted for over 40 years, and have found that a cross-chest bandolier or shoulder holster works best for me.

I've also found that, due to the close-range shots on game, that a leather belt/holster can "creak" at inopportune times, causing the game to bolt.

After that leather holster went down the road, I lucked into a solution for me - A model 4101 Bianchi Ranger H.U.S.H. ( HUnting Shoulder Holster ) Cordua Nylon rig


https://op1.0ps.us/365-365-ffffff/opplanet-bianchi-ranger-hush-rh-shoulder-holster-system-flap-14258-14279-main.jpg


The Cordua is silent, is easily slid around to the back of the off shoulder (out of the way after deploying the handgun ) - and can be had for many different handguns, scoped or not.


.

That one does look like it could fit the bill. Unfortunately I just did a quick google and it looks like they’ve been discontinued. There is a similar one on Amazon though that says it’s made by Federal in the USA so that may be worth looking at more. Plus it’s fairly inexpensive.

[c0wb0y84]

A chest rig sounds like it would work for you. I carry my XDm 10mm in a Kenai chest rig.

Another consideration would be comfort and accessibility while wearing with a pack. Not something I normally do but hopefully could be future possibility. It looks like the kenai rig might be a better option for that.

[downzero]

What kind of gun are you carrying?

[c0wb0y84]

6.5” or 4 5/8” blackhawks.

[onelight]

Simply Rugged makes some pancake holsters that look like they would be comfortable on the belt and convert to a chest rig.
https://www.simplyrugged.com/ecommerce/Sourdough-Pancake-MED-TO-LARGE-FRAME-REVOLVERS-Leather-Concealment-Holster.cfm?item_id=151&parent=669

[megasupermagnum]

For cold weather deer hunting, I wear mine with a large strap belt maybe 2" wide, which I keep over most of my clothes, but my jacket covers it. I only wear this when walking. When I sit down, I take it off. If I'm tracking, I have the belt on, but handgun in my hand. I like a strongside holster, and never warmed up to cross draw. It sits nicely under a jacket, and I wear it so drawing is not that difficult. I even jumped a buck one day, and was able to draw and kill it with no troubles. I've got a different holster for everything, with no strong preference. The Hunter versafit works just fine for my Redhawk. I really like my A.E. Nelson #392 for my model 57. I've tried two different Blackhawk brand holsters (the cheap ones), and didn't like either. I do like pancake holsters, but they don't fit my big strap belt.

[sparky45]

I just recently acquired a "Chesty Puller" chest rig from Diamond D; don't know what took me so long.

[megasupermagnum]

I'd also like to note that I have tried two shoulder holsters, and absolutely hated both. The one from Blackhawk I could barely get over a T shirt, and it felt like trying to put on a fall harness. And trying to draw from it, good luck. The one from Safariland fit much looser, but there was no way it would go over any winter clothes. I could not imagine trying to wear it under winter clothes, it was not comfortable at all. This one draws nice, but I'm not real confident in the retention.

I never have tried a true chest rig, but to me most look over complicated and uncomfortable, same as shoulder holsters. When I'm hunting, I already have enough crap chafing my neck, either a bag, a chair strap, or backpack. I don't need my holster on my neck too. The other big problem is most appear to have the holster ride right on top of your chest. I don't know how that is supposed to work if you have binoculars.

Personally I'd rather keep my handgun in a fanny pack (which I do when dirtbiking), rather than literally add more weight to my shoulders.

[DougGuy]

I normally carry a blackhawk in a cross draw for easier drawing while seated which works fine.

OP I carry cross draw in a Mike's nylon flap holster on a WWII web belt slung just below my belt and it works great stalking or seated. I have a short one on one web belt for the shorter pistols, and a longer one on a different belt for the 7 1/2" BH. I tried using a chest carry shoulder holster and with any kind of big bore, it gets VERY tiring very quick. I don't know that you won't spend money on something that at first sounds good then later on you won't like it, and go back to the cross draw, I did.

[onelight]

I carried my 6 1/2" model 29 a lot in a Roy baker pancake holster with 4 slots the bottom 2 slots would place the gun at about the same place as a vertical shoulder holster and would allow it to be drawn from under a coat that was unzipped or unbuttoned on the top half by reaching in from the top worked pretty good sitting or standing and kept the gun out of the weather . I don't know it anyone makes that style holster now but it is very comfortable carried on the right side with bottom slots or cross draw under a long coat.
I still have the holster and 29 both purchased in the 70s.

[c0wb0y84]

OP I carry cross draw in a Mike's nylon flap holster on a WWII web belt slung just below my belt and it works great stalking or seated. I have a short one on one web belt for the shorter pistols, and a longer one on a different belt for the 7 1/2" BH. I tried using a chest carry shoulder holster and with any kind of big bore, it gets VERY tiring very quick. I don't know that you won't spend money on something that at first sounds good then later on you won't like it, and go back to the cross draw, I did.

LOL. Yeah I can imagine that may be how it goes. I really like my galco sao in cross draw mode and it works great when I'm not wearing a jacket and it works ok in the jacket but other options are enticing...

[white eagle]

I'm looking to see if there's a better way of doing things. I normally carry a blackhawk in a cross draw for easier drawing while seated which works fine during warmer hunts where I'm not wearing a jacket. When things cool down though my jacket covers it in a way that is difficult to get to without a lot of noise and movement and it makes my jacket poke out awkwardly and it gets caught on everything while stalking.

I've never worn a bandolier style or kodiak style holster but was wondering if something along these lines worn on top of the jacket would work better. Or if there's another one that you like.

El Paso Saddlery make a tanker style holster I thought might be a good choice

[rintinglen]

My own preference for longer barreled pistols (6" and up) is for a properly designed cross draw on a belt large enough to go over my coat. However, I have a fondness for my 8 3/8" S&W 29 in a Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster. Carried under my coat, with the top two buttons undone, it is still readily accessible. That is, as long as you buy your coat a size larger than you are.

One thing that has to be considered is the size of the user. If you are 5' 10" and weigh 275 lbs, your needs are going to be quite different from a fellow 5 inches taller and 60 pounds lighter. 40 pounds ago, I found IWB to be the cat's pajamas: these days, not so much. The bigger your waist, the less useful you'll find the cross-body shoulder holsters, unless you have a 38 inch sleeve.

[hawke]

Hope this site https://www.idfholsters.com/ helps you to choose the right holster. Ordered a pocket holster for my P365 and it's pretty nice.

[Sprue]

my self made cross chest for 6" scoped M-629

[murf205]

Sprue, show us a pic of that home made rig.

[kingrj]

After many years of handgun hunting I have settled on something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Monoki-Tactical-Backpack-Military-Shoulder/dp/B081SRBJ5Z/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=sling+pack&qid=1626087645&sr=8-7. It is a sling pack that I wear on my chest tilted to my right with the single strap across to my right shoulder...In the large back part of the pack there is room for just about any auto or revolver with up to..say a 6"barrel....you can get larger paks for longer barrel guns...Once I get settled in the stand I simply unzip the top of the large compartment and it is very easy to quietly remove the pistol...I also carry my GPS, knife, pull-up rope, flashlight, limb saw and any other goodies and they are handy right on my chest...

[Electrod47]

I just recently acquired a "Chesty Puller" chest rig from Diamond D; don't know what took me so long.

Same here.

[Shawlerbrook]

This one seems like a great rig.
https://gunfightersinc.com/kenai-chest-holster/

[MrWolf]

This one seems like a great rig.
https://gunfightersinc.com/kenai-chest-holster/

That is the one I use with my SA 10mm and love it.

[GregLaROCHE]

The big problem with handgun holsters, it that they are almost impossible to use if you want to wear a large backpack. The backpack straps normally interfere with shoulder holsters and any sizable pack will make problems with a waist holster.

I had a custom holster made where the gun set in the center of my chest. It held six extra bullets. I used it for bear protection in Alaska. It worked great when carrying a pack. I am surprised no similar ones have been mass produced.

PS:Even 44 mag is minimal for bear protection. I later went back to carrying my .45/70. The plus side is the gun is always with you. When working, you are often away from a rifle and those few yards could make all the difference.

[Shawlerbrook]

Greg, check out the link above for the Kenai holster. I think it is what you are describing.

[BRobertson]

I have hunted exclusively with a revolver in Alaska for over 50 years.
Always used a shoulder holster. For the last approximately 35 years have been using the no longer available
Bianchi bandolier style HUSH holster.
I have used them very successfully with packs, sometimes extremely large packs!
The new nylon holsters from Diamond D should be a good substitute for the no longer available
Bianchi holsters.
I strongly disagree with the often repeated statements that the .44 is marginal for bear protection!
Like any other caliber it depends on the placement.
A proper bullet, with a good hit is very effective! I have proven that several times over for myself.

Bob

[Gunners Mate]

I use a Galco Kodiak Hunter I would give 5 stars comfortable, Lot of Adj and holds some extra ammo carry my 629 in it not for the bears but for hogs down here in South Texas great for when I am running the tractor in the field

[Tar Heel]

I have always found that any transport method used is cumbersome with a large handgun and impossible to access your handgun in a hurry when that game animal "appears." Since I only transport my handgun to my hunting location, a blind, a stand, a nice hay barn, I use a sling now. Upon arrival and after settling in, I place the handgun within reach after removing the sling.

If I am stalking game with a handgun, the handgun is......in my hands, not in a chest rig or slung.

Some guns sling easier than others. Contenders are the easiest to attach a sling to. Revolvers are harder and none of my current ones bear sling mounts. I transport in a day pack with those.

I used to transport in an old Uncle Mike's chest rig but found it too cumbersome to get off and back on with heavy coats and clothing needed for winter hunts on the east coast.

[BobT]

I hunt with TC Contenders quite a bit and I use one of these, not sure if it would work for you but it can be used with a small pack (I have never tried a large one) . It works well for me and can be worn over my heaviest hunting clothing with no issues.

https://www.pistolpackaging.com/Bandito_Shoulder_Belt_p/bsb.htm

[Char-Gar]

Simply Rugged's Sourdough model was developed to "protect you from the pistol and the pistol from you". For the outdoorsman, it is the best their is. It can be used strong side, cross draw or with a chest rig.

[Markwell]

Diamond-D's Guides Choice or the Galco Great Alaskan get my vote.